CONVENTION 2000 / THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

The Cell Phone Convention

In politics, this may be remembered as the Year of the Cell Phone. Pacific Bell Wireless traffic near Staples Center increased by 242% on the convention's first day. AT&T Wireless reported handling 10 million minutes of convention calls that day. It's possible only because permanent and temporary cellular relay stations have been spread throughout the area.

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Pico cells and micro cells

Suitcase-size relay stations in the upper levels of Staples Center. They receive cell transmissions and connect them to the arena's telecommunications center.